Monday 21 January 2013

Book Review - Starflower

Title: Starflower
Author: Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood (book 4 - prequel)
Publisher: Baker Books
Release Date: 1 Dec 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0764210266

Synopsis
When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.
But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

 

My Review 
I was contacted by the author asking if I wanted to review this book. It is set as a prequel to the other books in the series. Whilst I was waiting for this book to arrive I started reading 'Heartless' (book 1 in the series) but I got distracted and didn't continue with it - I figured that if I had this book coming I might as well read the prequel first. 
When this arrived I loved the look of the cover, it's beautiful. But I still had a stack of review books so I didn't get to it right away. Then the blog tour came up so I decided to join as it would give me a target date to read this book (tends to get me to read them quicker).

This story should have had everything I loved about it in it - fantasy, dragons, adventure, sort of fairytale style with the girl being captured by the dragon and needing to be rescued and I started reading with high hopes. But there was just something about this book that failed to capture my attention. I got about thirty pages in then drifted to a different book, I then went back and started again, this time getting about fifty pages in before starting another. Over the space of about 2 months I think I read ten other books in the middle of this one. I just couldn't get into it. I didn't look forward to reading it. 
Yesterday I realised that the deadline for this review was up. I had to get it read for today's tour, so I sat down with 2/3 rds of the book left to read and skim read it. 
I got the general gist of the story, I liked the introduction of Starflower herself and got a bit more interested, but the Bard and the other guy really annoyed me - they were like squabbling teenagers. Completely useless 'rescuers'. There was the odd comedic moment but not enough to make me want to read it in more detail.
As I didn't read it properly I can't really judge it, as i only skimmed. I have an idea of how it all played out and for me that was enough.
I just don't know why I didn't enjoy it, I just couldn't make myself care about any of the characters, I didn't feel connected to them or the story.  
I don't want to put you off but I have to be honest, you may read it and love it but for me it just didn't hit the mark. sorry!  
 
My Rating

No comments: